Not going to uni survival guide 2013 by Diane Shawe

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Results day Survival Guide 2013

TO o d ch E: ee r s D u n te SI yo af IN ing life h f yt e o er ns ev se ke

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Apprenti

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Find a Job

Gap Year

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Get aee Degr

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Go to College

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Discover

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foreword

Suli Breaks

The poet and YouTube superstar welcomes you to the not going to uni results day survival guide 2013

Want to know more about Suli Breaks? Check out our Q&A on p22

My message to anyone who has got their results is to remember that regardless of whether it is what you expected, not what you expected or even better than you expected, that it is just a start. One area of your destiny, this is just one step in your journey of life and it will only define the destination if you want it to. Society will not only try and dictate your steps, but also where you will end up, however all you have to do is have faith in your abilities and the choice of whatever you want to be from that point on is in your hands. find us online: notgoingtouni.co.uk

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CONTENTS

What’s inside...

first things first...

What do you do if your marks aren’t what you hoped for? What do you do if they’re better? And precisely how can you keep your head from exploding on this most stressful of days? Find out here.

Decided what you want to do? Still pondering your options? Follow our results day flow chart, make your decision now.

RESULTS DAY SURVIVAL GUIDE

results day flow chart

the ten MOST Common Problems for SCHOOL-leavers

We asked everyone we got our hands on what one thing they wish they’d known when they left school, in the hope that they’d help you out. There are some gems of advice here.

Whether you are looking for the latest job and training opportunities or just seeking useful information and advice, notgoingtouni.co.uk can help you take charge of your future.

find us online: notgoingtouni.co.uk

What do you think the most common problems are when people leave school? More importantly, what do you do if one of them happens to you?

Become a ber notgoingtouni mem

An R&D year is our term for a gap year and we’re huge fans of them. Why? Well, because they might just stop you from wasting thousands of pounds and, ultimately, your life…

WHEN I LEFT SCHOOL I WISH I’D KNOWN…

Join us!

WHY YOU SHOULD AT LEAST CONSIDER AN R&D YEAR

• A personalised profile which means you will receive the latest opportunities to your inbox. • One click application to jobs and training. Apply quickly, easily and hassle-free.

• Application management. Keep track of all the applications you have made. • Access to loads of useful information and advice from CV and interview tips through to video case studies

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guide to college-based higher education Fancy getting a degree, but not sure uni is for you? Then you need to find out about all the HE courses you can do right at your local college. Best of all, there are colleges waiting for you to apply, right now!

Choose Your Path

They say that only 49% of school and college leavers have even heard of an apprenticeship. We think it’s time you met some of the other contenders for what you could do next. Keep an open mind and you could find some surprising alternatives.

Helping you kick start your career Deciding what you want to do once you’ve left school can be tough. There’s tons of information and guidance available, and you’ll have spoken to lots of people as you try to make your decisions. But ultimately, you need to choose a career path that is right for you.

ave you considered doing an apprenticeship with learndirect? An apprenticeship with us is a great way to learn new skills and get a head start in the career you want. You’ll earn a salary, gain a qualification and get real life, hands-on experience. We hear from employers all the time about why they employ apprentices and the great things they achieve. Many have told us that by employing young people they often find they bring new ideas and new ways of working that really benefit their business.

43 a life 57 Get and take a Gap Year more 71 Get qualifications 83 Get a degree 95 Get a job Get an apprenticeship

Cover Illustration: Tom Percival, tom-percival.com Design: Start Digital, startdigitalpublishing.com

As one of the UK’s largest apprenticeship providers, more than 20,000 apprentices choose to learn with us every year - and you could be next! We work with thousands of employers across the UK, and in a huge range of different sectors, so wherever you live we’ll help find the right apprenticeship for you. You could choose a career in business, health and social care, hospitality, childcare, dental, financial services, retail, plus much more. One of the great things is that there’s no need to wait until September: our apprenticeships run all year round, so you can get started straight away. To find out more about apprenticeships in your area today, give us a call on 0800 101 901 or find learndirect apprenticeships on facebook.

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Together, we can do something extraordinary.

Software Delivery and IT Operations Apprenticeships â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 45 Positions ÂŁ17,500 per annum salary | Sheffield and Tankersley We have some great opportunities for ambitious individuals with a passion for Information Technology to join the new HSBC IT Apprenticeship Programme. We are running apprenticeship schemes within Software Delivery and IT Operations in Sheffield and Tankersley in South Yorkshire. Commencing in October the Apprenticeship will last for 18 months, during which time you will undertake the Advanced Apprenticeship for IT professionals, giving you a level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence on completion. In both IT Operations and Software Delivery, this will mean becoming an IT Trainee within one of the business areas, learning technical and professional skills from experienced experts. In addition to the Diploma, you will receive significant technical training to help you succeed in your role and give you a superb grounding for a career within IT at HSBC. Find out more and apply here

Local jobs. Global opportunities.

first things first...

surviving results day

results day survival guide

Top Tips

Getting Your Results

Plan ahead. Discuss with your parents, teacher, or someone you trust what your options are, depending on your grades. Planning your response for a best and worst case scenario enables you to respond much more quickly and with far less stress.

2 3

Get a contact number for your university department for both your firm offer and your insurance uni. If you narrowly miss out on grades you might need to call them.

6 7

Take your time. Regardless of whether you get the grades you wanted or fall short, understand that there is plenty of time for you to consider what you actually want to do.

Don’t be swayed by the crowd. When lots of people are doing one thing it can take a lot of bravery to say you want to do something different, just remember you have to live your life, not someone else’s – if uni doesn’t sound right for you, don’t do it!

Focus on your situation. There’s an awful lot of dramatics, tears and tantrums on results day with peaks of highs and lows going on all around you. Make sure that you focus on your own results and don’t get dragged into the dramas.

See if you can arrange to have someone at home next to a computer in case you need to check clearing websites or the UCAS site in a rush. Be prepared for the sites to be slow or to crash…

4 5

Top up your mobile – whether you get the results you wanted or not you’ll either be spending a long time celebrating or commiserating and that means credit.

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If you’re panicking for any reason, find somewhere calmer to get things together. Focus on your breathing and clearing your mind. Taking five minutes to get yourself together can stop you making a rushed decision. Appreciate your achievement. Whatever your results you’ve just completed nearly two decades of constant education, you’ve grown, learnt and developed so much that you’re almost an entirely different person. That learning process continues throughout your life though, so enjoy what you’ve achieved but never stop trying to develop yourself.

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Focus on your own results and don’t get dragged into the dramas

An accountant at 22. Career sorted. A career in accounting starts with AAT Every year, thousands of young people choose to start their career journey with AAT. Open to everyone, the AAT Accounting Qualification is flexible, practical and recognised by leading employers such as the NHS, P&G and KPMG. Find out about courses starting soon in your area.

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in most are as

results day survival guide

results day flow chart Your indespensible guide to surviving the drama of results day. What if you didn’t do as well? What if you did better? Check our flow chart…

Start Have you researched and thoroughly considered of all your options and made a descision YOU are excited about?

YES

Did you get the results you needed?

YES

Thinking of getting a remark or doing retakes?

BETTER?

YES

Celebrate!

Speak up

Don’t forget that for optimum results champagne should be served between 8 and 10oC.

Talk to a teacher as they’re the ones who need to apply on your behalf.

Congratulations! You could either accept the place that you had at university or you could enter what’s known as Adjustment, where you take your improved grades around to other universities and courses and see if they’ll offer you a place. If you’re interested in finding out more, speak to a teacher, tutor or check www.ucas.com for more information.

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YES NO

Thought about a gap year?

Go to page 57

Further qualifications?

Go to page 71

YES

YES NO

Considered an apprenticeship?

Go to page 43

What about getting a degree?

Go to page 83

YES

Don’t forget You can also do HE courses through FE Colleges

Thought about getting a job?

Go to page 95

YES

Go to Page 27

Problem solved?

Check out clearing If you’ve started looking into the university application process, you may have read or heard about something called ‘clearing’. When you make your university applications, if you are successful you’ll likely receive a conditional offer – which means you’ll get a place on your chosen course if you get the grades the university asks for. If you don’t get the grades though, all is not lost, as you could get a place at another university through clearing.

Go back to start

YES

If you want full details of how to apply for clearing, check out www.ucas.com. You could also check out the range of Higher Education courses that are available through colleges in our College-based Higher Education Guide on page 27

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research and development

Why you should consider a research and development year For such a positive experience, gap years have managed to attract a lot of negative baggage. Part of the problem is the name. Think about it – where else is the notion of a gap a good thing? Certainly not in dentistry. And any traveller worth his salt knows that you have to MIND THE GAP. If you’re trying to sell the notion of taking a gap year to your parents it’s quite likely that they’ll hear the word “gap” and think only of falling behind and a desperate race to catch up. That’s why the gap year has to die. Instead we think that you should consider a Research and Development year. What’s the difference? Well, a gap year is when the Ruperts and Jocastas of the world go off on a £30k holiday where they build schools for elephants. A Research and Development year is a period of time when you can make a considered judgement about what to do next, but it’s also a phase when you can develop yourself – as a person, a potential employee and as a human being. Who could possibly object to that? In fact the gap year has attracted so many myths and untruths that you might already have decided that it’s not for you. That’s fine. Feel free to skip ahead – provided you read and understand the information here:

Five Myths

1 2

So what is an R&D year then and how could it save your life?

They’re just for rich kids – NO, THEY’RE NOT.

They cost a lot of money – NO, THEY DON’T otherwise they’d just be for rich kids and we’ve just said that they’re not.

They mean travelling – NO, THEY DON’T. Thousands of school leavers take a gap year and stay within a 40 mile radius of their own bed.

Mean convincing your parents – WHAT! You really think your parents would object to you improving your employability, learning new skills and building up your life experiences?

Are a waste of time – ABSOLUTELY NOT. In fact, a gap year could actually save your life.

Still want to skip ahead?

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In the perfect world, all of the exercises and questions that refine your ideas about potential futures and guide you towards making informed choices – would be done while you were still at school. That would mean that you could get to your school graduation ceremony and annoy everyone by saying with confidence that you know precisely what you want to do next and that you’re genuinely excited about the future. However, you’ve probably noticed that school is busy. Alongside lessons and exams quite a lot of other stuff happens. Friends, girlfriends, boyfriends (or both), parties, twitter.com/notgoingtouni

A Research and Development year is a period of time... when you can develop yourself – as a person, a potential employee and as a human being

Deferring – A Smart Move

music, books, cinema, work and revision all tend to get in the way. As John Lennon once remarked, “life is what happens while we’re making other plans.” So what happens if you get to the end of school and you still haven’t had the time to make the right decision? You take an R&D year. And one of the things that you do is your career research and figure out what’s really right for you. That way, rather than going off and getting a qualification in something you don’t want to do and building up debt that it takes decades to get rid of, you will make a better choice and, ultimately, avoid wasting your life. Add in the fact that you’ll have some amazing life experiences (which can be sold to parents and future employers as ultimate skill-enhancing opportunities) and you’ve got an unbeatable combination.

Deferring means asking for your university place to be held over until the next academic year. So rather than starting in September 2013, you’d start in September 2014 for instance. It doesn’t cost anything to defer, although you need to be aware that you might end up paying the fees at the 2014 rates – so keep an eye out for more increases. In fact, most universities are in favour of deferment because they know that it can save you making the wrong choices, as an example The University of Roehampton state on their website, “We welcome students who wish to defer entry, and believe that applicants who decide to broaden their horizons by taking a gap year can benefit by bringing this wider outlook to their studies.”

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So how do you do it? It depends on if you know you want to defer when you apply to university. If you do you can let the uni know via your UCAS application and do a statement showing the benefits of your R&D year, provided the course you’re applying for allows deferment (most do). If you decide to defer after you’ve made your application, you can possibly still do it right up until quite late by speaking to the admissions tutor at your department. In most cases if you have a good reason they will be happy to allow it. Be warned, this varies by course, department and university so speak to your admissions tutor as soon as you’ve decided that an R&D year is for you, don’t delay.

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Your career in fashion retail starts here

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Case Study

Liam Price Ecommerce Merchandiser at Warehouse

“Attending The Fashion Retail Academy provided me with a firm footing in the retail industry. I enjoyed my year at the Academy and gained so much experience, met so many influential people and got a job at the end of it as a Merchandise Management Development Partner at John Lewis! I learnt so much in one year that I was immediately able to use in my job.”

If you’re interested in... Retail Business Buying Merchandising Visual Merchandising Styling Store Management

Why study at the FRA?

Fashion Marketing & PR

Full-time, Short Courses and Apprenticeships are available at the FRA’s modern facilities in the centre of the West End.

Garment Construction Graphic Design We’ve got courses for YOU...

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Learn in this inspirational environment and draw on the FRA’s extensive fashion industry contacts and business networks. You will gain all the skills and experience to make you “job ready” for an exciting career in the retail industry.

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i wish i’d known...

When I Left School I Wish I’d Known... We tapped up the collective wisdom of the Not Going to Uni Facebook and Twitter followings to collect the greatest ideas of what people who have already left school or college wish that they’d known. Here’s the best advice we received… Notgoingtouni What one thing do you wish you’d known (or been told) when you left school?

Like Comment Share •

•

Nicky Kalia, Connor Gani and 96 others like this Amber Harding Don’t listen to other people and really think what do you want out of life.

Louise Harwood U dont need uni to succeed - find a career u enjoy & r happy doing & work ur way up - happiness at work = happiness at home! An unhappy job makes life so much harder. Nea Edwards-Dixon That there is a course for everything that you want to do.

Arthur Mwenkanya Katabalwa That there is almost no use for Quadratic Equations after school.

Andrew Collins That working in an office isn’t an actual job title

Holly Shanahan Just how many people who wouldn’t give you the time of day at school will suddenly behave as if they were a best buddy if u bump into them in 6 months or more. Weird. Natasha Jentle Actively look for what really interests you, it is unlikely to come looking for you. In the meantime, do something and never underestimate how you behave might affect your future options. Matt Shanahan How to read and interpret a set of annual reports for a company. Tells you loads.

Holly Shanahan Actually, really I wish our school had taught us how to use a computer properly. It took me years to catch up. I still lack skills and confidence in this. I had a word processor at Uni! Elena Christoforou There will be millions of jobs and positions out there that you do not know about! Not everyone has to be a doctor, lawyer, accountant or teacher. That is not all there is out there! Silvana Devine Have the confidence to pursue something you want to do, not something that would be good to do, or safe to do. Someone has to do that amazing job - why can’t it be you? Don’t let anyone put you off, or put you down. And don’t talk yourself out of doing it. You can achieve anything if you want something enough. Age is not something that brings you wisdom. Surround yourself with people who encourage you and support you, and then just go for it. Better to try, than spend the rest of your life wishing you had! Catherine Garton Wish school had prepared me for the real world a little more.

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i wish i’d known...

Notgoingtouni What one thing do you wish you’d known (or been told) when you left school?

Like Comment Share •

•

Nicky Kalia, Connor Gani and 96 others like this Benjamin Sey It’s not just what you know, but who you know.

Daniel White How to juggle things in your life without getting too stressed.

Adam Bligh-Hasan I wish I’d known that university isn’t the be all and end all of your future.

Leo Palmier In hindsight it would have been better if I’d have thought of teachers as just ordinary people while at school.

Nicky Kalia That there are more options/avenues to take than just uni.

Laura-May Bullock How to sort out tax and wages etc when you start working like in an office.

Jodie Chapman I wish I’d known how to budget money better! Knowing about bursaries etc would have saved me a lot of time working two jobs and a lot of trouble having to do all nighters at Uni! Mang Phung I wish they’d help us more with life in general and not just uni stuff.

Charlie Stocker Uni isn’t the only option.

Emily Orford I wish they’d have notified us of other options than 6th form, having a broader knowledge on A-Levels, IB college courses, job searching etc would have probably benefited a lot of people rather than the school system just telling you to do A-Levels at 6th form - and also, more information about life at uni i think, they try to help but mostly focus on how to apply rather then the support systems etc that are in place for when you get there. Jenna Costen That all it ever boils down to is you and your mind set and determination... its all on you and how much you try at something! Fay Watson I wish they’d spent more time telling us we’d be happy where ever we went to uni or doing whatever we chose to do instead of focusing on pushing us to the ‘top universities’. George Nixon I wish we were generally taught more about life after school, I seemed to believe until it was too late that if we didn’t go to uni we won’t be competitive enough to get decent jobs. I’m also a bit clueless about how to apply/find/succeed in full time jobs? Don’t know of I’m the only one but I feel far too unprepared for adult life..... Mike Donovan I wish I got told its who you know, not what you know.

Jack Stanley Turner I wish I learnt how expensive just generally life is and how low income can’t afford it.

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Siân Jones chose to study CIMA instead of heading to university, and became a fully qualified Chartered Global Management Accountant at 22. I wanted to be able to continue working whilst I was studying so I didn’t have mountains of student debt to pay off.

Qualify faster – you don’t need a degree to start your CIMA studies CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting – our entry level is a qualification in its own right Apply for a CIMA Apprenticeship and get real work experience whilst you are studying

CIMA is the most relevant accounting qualification for a career in business. It will open doors with employers all over the world; as a CIMA management accountant you’ll earn more and go further. You can bypass university and head straight for the world of business, studying at your own pace in a way that suits you. There’s more to management accounting than you might think. It’s about looking beyond numbers and spreadsheets to add real value to a company. CIMA members are in demand in all areas of a business, in some exciting industries including fashion, sport, travel, media and publishing.

The CIMA Apprenticeship You can now study CIMA through an apprenticeship. CIMA, together with a network of top employers, are creating the first ever degree level Higher Apprenticeship in Management Accounting. It’s a fantastic non-university route into the world of business and finance for talented individuals.

Find out more about CIMA:

www.cimaglobal.com/resultsday www.facebook.com/cimauk

common problems

the ten MOST Common Problems for SCHOOL-leavers And how to solve them

So you’re about to leave school or college – all you’ve got to worry about is the prom and a bright new future, right? Well, kind of. We don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade so let’s keep this upbeat and say that now you’ve left secondary education you’re going to face an array of challenges that you might not have come up against before. Fortunately, we have put together a quick fix for some of the most common post-school problems.

There’s an annoying thing you’ll find about other people. It’s that they don’t Feeling readily express all the left fears and worries that are behind going through their heads. So when you check their Facebook/Twitter profiles or just catch up in real life, it always seems as if they’re not struggling with the same doubts and worries that you feel. The key to understanding this phenomenon is that little word “seems”. Everyone you know is just two really bad days away from a nervous breakdown. That’s life. That’s people. So now you know the secret you can be just as confident as the others because you know that it’s really just pretend. Funnily enough, when you pretend you’re confident it often works that you become confident. Try it out.

Good. Then you’ve already decided something. The key to solving this is to I’ve made waste as little time as the wrong possible in sorting it out. choice! We all make mistakes and start off down the wrong path sometimes, but the sooner you realise it and do something about it, the less impact it actually has. Never, never, never, never, never, never, never carry on with something you don’t want to do. Never.



common problems

Great! As frustrated as you are when you’re screaming I DON’T this well-worn phrase it’s KNOW actually very positive. It’s WHAT I positive because you’re WANT acknowledging that you TO DO! haven’t yet made a choice about your next step. SO DON’T DO ANYTHING – UNTIL YOU’VE PROPERLY RESEARCHED IT. Don’t just follow the herd, take some time to decide what you want. A couple of weeks research now will save you so much pain and wasted time in the long-run. You might well want to get your hands on a copy of the Not Going To Uni book which guides young people through exactly this process – http://bit.ly/NGTUBOOK

That’s probably very sensible. Doing anything for the first time (like going away from I’m home, or starting a new job) scared is completely different and challenges us. Fear is really just the body’s way of saying to pay attention, which is useful in these new situations. Don’t let it get out of control though. Channel it into excitement if you can and if you get too nervous then talk to someone about it. You’ll be surprised how sympathetic people can be and there are always resources open to support you – friends, family, even Not Going To Uni.

Regardless of why you want it there’s no denying that money makes doing No things easier. If you’ve got money no money and you want to do something then it falls back to you to think of a way around it and we’ll make you this solid gold promise: there is always a way around it. Let’s take travelling. If you’re desperate to do a research and development year but can’t afford it, how on earth can you go? How about volunteering? There are some schemes that pay your travel and accommodation costs in return for your work. Or how about going abroad to work? You can pay your air fare to Australia by fruit-picking when you’re out there. Can’t afford university? How about looking into sponsored degrees? Trust us: there is always a way around it.

In all likelihood that’s probably not true. If they follow the standard parent format they love you massively and they think they know how to live your life better than you. That’s their job, it’s hard for them when they’ve spent in excess of 16 years looking after you and caring for you. There’s probably some rule of biology that once you’ve cleaned poo off someone else you’re never going to be able to fully accept them as a grown up. It’s your job to prove them wrong, to show them that you can be trusted to make your own decisions – even if they’re the wrong ones. So, instead of arguing (which is always going to convince them that you’re just a brat who can’t be trusted to make their own decision) talk to them. Put together a presentation. Explain to them why you’re making your decision. Explain how you’ve looked at all the options and why this one appeals to you more than any of the others. You will get more respect and buy-in from your folks if you take this method. You might even get their full, unadorned support, but if you don’t take that on the chin and just ask that they accept your decision.

My parents don’t support me

Often the key to getting around this is to try new I Can’t methods and to persevere. Get A Job Don’t just keep looking in the paper and being disappointed that your dream job hasn’t appeared. Get out there and find it. Or get out there and create it.

That’s an easy one. Name any career you fancy and I don’t there will be a blueprint know how of how to do it on the web. to become www.prospects.ac.uk has a… a series of great careers profiles that you can follow for graduate jobs (but there’s plenty you don’t need to be a graduate to get). www.gov.uk can be a massive help and has loads of information to help you choose your job. Don’t forget there’s also some really good advice on www.notgoingtouni.co.uk too. The other thing you can do is to simply steal other people’s career paths. Find someone who does what you would love to do, find out how they got there and just copy it.

Don’t just keep looking in the paper and being disappointed that your dream job hasn’t appeared. Get out there and find it. 20

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Problem solving is fun!

Might seem like a funny one to mention but it’s something that affects quite Getting a few school-leavers. This fat and unhealthy might be because while they live at home someone else looks after their nutrition and when they leave home, they sometimes don’t have the dietary smarts to avoid it. They might also be celebrating their new-found freedom with rather too much junk food and alcohol. Keeping healthy is vital for success and happiness, so make sure you keep an eye on your weight and fitness. If you start putting on weight, do something about it. Ignore it and it will become a problem that will hold you back or knock your confidence and neither is that much fun.

If you’re feeling unsure then you need to start getting excited about the future.

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You’ve just spent a couple of decades learning to hate the teachers and I miss all that boring learning school and now you’ve been out for less then a few months and you already miss it. Well don’t worry, it’s a feeling that many share. When you go from something so familiar to something different then it can lead to feelings of fear and a lack of confidence. If you’re feeling this way then you need to start getting excited about the future. You might not have a fully planned-out future that is driving you wild with excitement. Get those plans and you’ll soon find that moving on is easier than you think. FACEBOOK.com/notgoingtouni

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Q&A

Suli Breaks

He’s the man behind our foreword, but perhaps more importantly he’s the person who wrote Why I Hate School But Love Education and I Will Not Let An Exam Result Decide My Fate. We caught up with the performance poet and Dean of the University of Suli Breaks to ask him a few questions. You went to uni at Sheffield, did you feel like it was a valuable experience? Definitely, it was a growth process for me. Being away from the environment I grew up around definitely allowed me to gain new perspective on a lot of things. However, I feel I benefited more from my extra-curricular activities rather than those in class. Lots of readers can empathise with the idea that they love education but hate school - what do you think schools get wrong? I think the pressures on teachers to gain results, means that the focus on individuality of each student is often lost in this system. You’re very outspoken about education, which not a lot of poets are - why do you think that is? I am outspoken about every area in my life, my work is heavily influenced by personal experience. I spent a majority of my life in education and employment, causing this to become a focus of my subject matter. How should young people reclaim power over their own education? I feel if they can gain understanding that education can exist outside the context of school, it will enable them to gain a further appreciation of how they can use it to benefit them. Both in and outside of school.

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Many of our readers tell us how much they hate exams - and especially the pressure that’s put on them - any tips on how to survive them, or ideas for alternatives? The key thing that helped me “survive” exams is rejecting the conventional approach of just memorising as much as possible. I focused more on understanding. I found that by gaining a better understanding of the subject I was studying, it become more interesting and facilitated the process of retaining the information. Poetry is incredibly popular at the moment, what do you think is fuelling that success? I can’t definitively say, but I have noticed that the conscious level of society as a whole is raising. I think through the advent of social media, people have realised that they can find information, and more so learn for themselves. I think this in effect makes us more receptive to different ideas and mediums of conveying information, along with the conventional ones. What’s next for you and your career? I am currently just finishing my EP “The Dormroom” that is my priority at the moment. For more information, news, videos and views check out www.sulibreaks.com

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Careers inâ&#x20AC;Ś business, health and social care, hospitality, childcare, dental, financial services and much more. Take a look at what some of our apprentices say about their experiences.

Look what our apprentices have achieved – it could be you next! eship Childcare Apprentic

rted college but after six When I left school I sta ed the right route - I want weeks I knew it wasn’t to my learning. I decided to be more hands on in t d learndirect. They go search online and I foun swood Childcare and me an interview at Lawn ticeship. I love my job I was offered the Appren g right path now to ownin and I know I’m on the y or going into social my own nursery one da work with children. ides All of the work I do prov so there’s evidence for my course my own very little work to do in s about time. One of the benefit you learn Apprenticeships is that ur own from the course, from yo m experience and also fro ade your colleagues. I’ve m new friends and learned I’ll new skills and ultimately have a qualification.

Hospitality Apprenticeship I got a job as assistant manager at a hotel and my manager encouraged me to do the level 3 hospitality Apprenticeship with learndirect. It wasn’t something I had thought about but it was free education and an opportunity to prove my skills so I decided to do it. I’m told I completed my Apprenticeship very quickly as I did it in just six months but I found it so interesting. The best thing about the Apprenticeship was that it was so relevant to my job. Whilst I was completing it my manager left and I had to step into his role for a month. This is where it was crucial to use what I had already learnt. I was taking on all sorts of new tasks and the Apprenticeship gave me the confidence to do this. I’d tell anyone considering an Apprenticeship with learndirect to do it. It’s free education that gives you a qualification for the work that you do. Why wouldn’t you?

Dental Apprenticeship After completing sixth form I was struggling to decide whether to go to university to become a nurse. I was always interested in becoming a nurse but wasn’t sure it was the right option for me. Four years at university seemed like a big commitment, and it would also mean taking on a lot of debt. It was my mum who gave me some information about a level 3 Apprenticeship that I could do with learndirect whilst working as a dental nurse – my mind was made up. Being able to earn money whil st developing my career caring for patients ticke d all of my boxes. I really enjoyed the course. Although it was hard in places, I had a lot of support available to me. Doing my Apprenticeship has opened so many doors for me and it bought me some to decide whether I want to go to university. It gave me an insight to the industry and helped me to decide whether it’s the right one for me.

Business Administration Apprenticeship ided to After I completed my A levels I dec ing the start looking for a job instead of tak ws but university route. I had many intervie e of my I wasn’t getting any success becaus ng lack of work experience. I decided doi route an Apprenticeship would be a good t all to take because it would give me tha looking important experience employers are business for. So I started an Apprenticeship in ruitment administration at Anderson Cole Rec type of because I thought this might be the career I would be interested in. erson Cole By doing the apprenticeship at And running. I Recruitment I really hit the ground learnt a have gained valuable experience and general lot about recruitment but also more ut doing work skills as well. The best thing abo the apprenticeship is that now I have completed it I have been offered a full time position with the company which is brilliant.

I’ve already recommended the Apprenticeship route to other people. It has really helped me to build plans for the future.

Interested in an Apprenticeship? Four easy steps to your Apprenticeship 1. Get in touch

You can give us a call on 0800 101 901 or complete our enquiry form on www.learndirect.co.uk/apprenticeshipform - just tell us what you’re interested in and where you live. We’ll arrange for a member of our Apprenticeship team to contact you.

2. Get together

You’ll meet a member of our Apprenticeship team who’ll discuss your goals and what you want to do. You’ll talk about your next steps and if it’s right for you.

3. Help with job hunting

To complete your Apprenticeship, you’ll need to be employed in a suitable job. If you’re not already employed we can help. We work with thousands of employers across the UK who are looking for apprentices. We take the hassle out of looking for an Apprenticeship by setting up interviews for suitable jobs and giving you all the help you need to prepare. With our support and guidance, you can even look for your own job as well.

4. Start your Apprenticeship

Once you’ve started, you’ll be visited in your workplace by a member of our Apprenticeship team who will support you throughout your Apprenticeship and help you progress.

not going to u ni

guide to College-based

higher

education

plus:

Clearing Countdown

inside: Five great reasons why you should consider getting a HE qualification

Find out what courses are still available at colleges near you!

Guide to College-based higher education

College-based higher education explained Higher Education in Further Education (HE in FE) is a term that was used until very recently to describe what is now known as college-based Higher Education. HE in FE is a means of studying for higher qualifications that would usually be obtained at a higher education provider (such as a university) through a further education provider (such as a local college). The types of qualifications in this category range from foundation degrees to the Higher National Diploma (HND) and Higher National Certificate (HNC), and they are usually validated by and run in partnership with universities who work with colleges to provide educational opportunities to wider sections of communities. The popularity of college-based higher education has increased in recent years as the government has worked to publicise the opportunities available in local further education institutions, in the hope of widening access to education and training, with a target of getting 10,000 people to enrol for foundation degrees in the next few years. Now it is estimated that one in twelve higher education students attend further education colleges, but there is still a lack of awareness about the benefits of college-based higher education. As a result, progression to university is seen as the default option for most students, when the qualifications they wish to study could be available right on their doorstep. Similarly, those who dismiss the prospect of going away to university due to the cost should also keep in mind that studying college-based higher education is often a lot cheaper than university and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re worried about leaving your hometown, studying at a local college could be the perfect solution.

Guide to College-based higher education

Five reasons you might not have considered college-based higher education 1. You had a ‘university or nothing’ approach From teachers to parents, everyone seems to assume that university is the only way of continuing with education. However, there is a huge choice of subjects and qualifications available at local colleges, meaning that you don’t have to move hundreds of miles away, acquire £50,000 worth of debt and live on beans to get the qualifications you want.

2. You think further education colleges are for mature students only While further education colleges do get older students enrolling, they are not exclusively for mature students. They are popular with people of all ages who don’t want to leave their hometown, who wish to take advantage of the smaller class sizes, and who value financial independence above the university ‘experience’.

3. You weren’t aware your college offered higher education opportunities College-based higher education is the hidden gem of the education world and though the government is doing a lot to highlight that such opportunities exist, it’s safe to say that most people looking for their next step don’t immediately think of their local college. However,

check out your local college’s website and you’ll probably find a whole host of subjects you’re interested in, and courses that you haven’t considered that will open the same doors a university based degree will.

4. You were worried about the cost of higher education It is estimated that students leave university with around £50,000 worth of debt after three years, thanks to the huge cost of tuition fees and the cost of living away from home. It’s no wonder this puts people off even considering higher education, but studying for a higher education qualification at a local college could slash your costs drastically and make higher education more affordable.

5. You were worried about your qualifications If you’re not particularly academicallyminded, you may have found the national curriculum too difficult or irrelevant to your interests. Failing to obtain A-Levels might have caused you to believe higher education is no longer an option for you; but college-based higher education is a lot more flexible than university honour degrees, as they take into account your previous work experience and ambitions as well as any qualifications you may have, making education accessible to many who would previously not have considered it.

Guide to College-based higher education

The options In the same way that there are many different types of university based degree (postgrads, masters, bachelors – BAs, BScs, etc), there are many types of college-based higher education qualifications. The availability of these different qualifications will vary from college to college, so be sure to check out your local college’s website.

Higher national certificate (HNC) The HNC takes one year to complete and is considered equivalent to completing the first year of an undergraduate degree. Though it covers many of the same subjects as the HND (see below), it is actually a step below, but can be used to go on to complete a HND.

Higher national diploma (HND) The HND is considered to be roughly equivalent to the second year of a university degree, and many people who complete a HND go on to complete a university degree, bypassing the first two years at university. It is usually geared towards more vocational subjects and students studying for a HND can usually expect a more workplace-focused style of learning. Subjects offered at HND level include music production, jewellery, business and accountancy. It takes two years to complete, unless you have completed a HNC (see above), in which case the HND takes only a year to complete.

Foundation degree A foundation degree is designed to give students basic knowledge in their subject areas and most students who complete a foundation degree then go on to study for a university-based bachelor’s degree. Foundation degrees are ideal for those

who wish to gain workplace-based skills while also gaining a more academic ground in their chosen career. Like the HND and HNC there are a lot of vocational subjects offered at foundation level which make it perfect for people who want to go into careers such as accountancy, pharmacy and town planning. Foundation degrees are also great for those who are unsure whether they want to commit to years of extra study. After achieving a foundation degree, you can choose to go on to study a BA or BSc, but it doesn’t have to be straight away. Though many students go on to ‘top up’ their foundation degree to a full honours degree, unlike the HND, a foundation degree is a degree in its own right.

Extended degrees Extended degrees are another route into higher education for those who don’t have traditional qualifications (such as A-Levels and BTEC) but who still wish to study for a degree. Extended degrees are offered by colleges in partnership with local universities, and students typically take modules over the course of one year in subjects such as communications, IT and numeracy to make sure they’re ready for further study. When the year is over, students then go on to study for a relevant degree at the university that provided the extended degree. This is the perfect reintroduction to education for those who have been out of the loop for a while.

Guide to college-based higher education

Why go for college-based higher education? There are many reasons why college-based higher education courses are popular with so many people. When you consider that university tuition fees are at an all-time high and people are scrambling for places to delay entering a volatile job market, it’s no wonder that clued-up people are turning to college-based higher education. But what benefits does it bring to you? First off, studying at a local college is often a lot cheaper than studying at university. Living at home will definitely have its financial advantages over paying for overpriced halls of residence at university and that’s not the only way you’ll be saving money – college-based qualifications cost significantly less than university ones and they’ll both get you ahead in the world of work, so it’s a no-brainer. Although colleges are allowed to charge tuition fees of up to £9,000, many have opted not to reach for the astronomical figure that most universities have. For example, Petroc College in Devon are offering fees of £5,500 for full time qualifications, making the fees £3,500 less than most universities. Studying part time would also give you the option of spreading the cost and would give you the flexibility of working alongside your studies. There are also many scholarships available to prospective college students that are not available to people going to university. And because relatively fewer students attend colleges compared to universities, you’re more likely to get scholarships, so studying a higher education qualification at your local college makes total financial sense. Another reason why college-based higher education proves popular is because of the wide range of subjects offered at this level. Don’t like the idea of studying stuffy

English literature? Then these courses are perfect for you, as there is a huge range of vocational subjects; from dance to dentistry, agriculture to animation, studying in this way will give you the opportunity to develop your skills in the field of your dreams from your very first day and you won’t have to wait around for three years studying modules you’re not interested and which have no grounding in your future career before you really get stuck in. Studying at college couldn’t be more different from the typical image of hundreds of students packed into a lecture hall to stare at a lecturer for an hour. Class sizes are usually a whole lot smaller at college, meaning lecturers will have more time to spend talking to you and helping you with any problems you may face, and you’ll get to know your course mates more easily too. Though qualifications like the HND and foundation degrees are designed to give more career-minded individuals a chance to develop their work-based skills before heading out into the world of work, if you do decide that you’d like to go down a more academic route and study for an honours degree at some point in the future, you can do so quite easily, making this option the most flexible way to further your education. And if not, no worries, as your HND or foundation degree will stand as highly sought after qualifications in their own right.

How to apply

Firstly, have a think about what you really want to do – don’t just immediately apply for university if you’re only doing so to please your parents. Ask yourself what you’d like to be doing at the end of your education and it’s likely you’ll be surprised that you can achieve your goals by studying college-based higher education. If you decide that a college-based higher education qualification is for you, you can check out a myriad of stats on www.unistats.co.uk, including stats on student satisfaction at different colleges around the UK, in-depth information about individual courses and those allimportant contact details for the colleges of your choosing. You can even sign up for an account and shortlist the ones that take your fancy. Once you’ve found the course you’re interested in you’ll be able to check out the college’s website to get exact details about modules studied, fees and funding and how to apply. For full time courses you can generally apply via UCAS by visiting www.ucas.com and following their instructions. Each UCAS cycle usually begins on the 1st

September and ends on the 15th January, so be sure to apply within this timeframe, as although students can continue to apply up until 30th June, colleges don’t have to consider your application through UCAS after the initial 15th January deadline – and some courses may close to applications altogether. If you choose to study part time, you will need to apply directly to your chosen college. Full details can usually be found on their website along with instructions on whether you need to submit an online or paper-based application. These details are naturally subject to change, so make sure to check the up-todate information available on individual college websites, no matter what course you’re considering.

Guide to college-based higher education

Clearing countdown Looking for where you can find the all-important college-based higher education qualifications? Check out our profiles of the colleges near you who might well have the courses you want.

Guide to college-based higher education

Loughborough College

Central College Nottingham

We offer an excellent range of degrees for students who want more from Higher Education. Our HE programmes are designed to further enhance your skills for practical use within the workplace. So why choose us? It’s simple.

Are you looking to continue your studies to Higher Education (HE) level but are put off by expensive university fees? Our fees are set below £6,000 per year and if you qualify for the National Scholarship Programme you could receive a discount up to £3,000 meaning a two year programme would cost around £4,500pa.

Leicester

• Our tuition fees are competitively low and class sizes considerably smaller meaning you’ll have more TOP THREE tutor support and fewer COURSES voices to compete with AVAILABLE • Our courses are THROUGH accredited by established CLEARING universities and we have • Sports Science excellent links to industry • Engineering professionals • Travel & Tourism • You can be part of the Management Loughborough Student Union – Voted No.1 in the world for experience in 2013 • You can live in our on-campus accommodation just minutes from College, the LSU and town centre • Study in the HE Centre – a learning environment designed specifically for degree level students

Nottingham

Central College TOP THREE Nottingham is the COURSES new name for South AVAILABLE Nottingham College. THROUGH Now one of the largest CLEARING colleges in the region, with • Art & Design HE provision in Beeston, • Criminal Justice Clifton, City Centre and • Electrical Ruddington, we have Engineering an impressive HE offer at HND and Foundation Degree level in subjects including Science, Photography, Computing and Sport. You can apply now for a September start. Just contact the College direct.

Contact

Loughborough College, Radmoor Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3BT Web: www.loucoll.ac.uk Tel: for Clearing: 01509 618344 or 01509 618375

Central College Nottingham, Greythorn Drive, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7GA Web: www.centralnottingham.ac.uk Tel: 0115 914 6414

Oxford & Cherwell Valley College

The Sheffield College Sheffield

Oxford, Banbury, Reading

If you join our College as a higher education student you can be sure that you are taking a step towards a highly skilled job. Our foundation degrees and HNDs are developed with local employers. The Thames Valley region has weathered the recession and many industries are TOP THREE now seeing economic COURSES growth. AVAILABLE THROUGH Our teachers have industry CLEARING experience and understand • Business & the value of applying your Enterprise learning to real work • Creative Arts contexts. Our graduates • Early Years benefit from industryrecognised qualifications, a strong employer network and exciting career choices in the region.

Boost your career prospects and save on costs by studying locally for a higher education course at The Sheffield College.

Our aim is to combine a high level of tutorial and learning support with excellent teaching, while keeping our costs low to enable a broad range of students to join us.

Our competitively priced foundation degrees and higher education diplomas and certificates, in more than 20 different vocational subjects, match the needs of employers and are more affordable TOP THREE than university degrees. COURSES We offer full and partAVAILABLE time courses and provide THROUGH small class sizes, tailored CLEARING individual support and • Civil Engineering easy access to tutors & Construction between classes. • Health & Social Care Our higher education • Events & Tourism qualifications offer Management fantastic opportunities to gain work-related knowledge and skills as well as the chance to progress even further. There’s always the option to study for a top up year at university afterwards to turn your foundation degree into an honours degree.

Contact

Oxpens Road, Oxford, OX1 1SA Web: www.ocvc.ac.uk/he Tel: 01865 550 550

Granville Road, Sheffield, S2 2RL Web: www.sheffcol.ac.uk Tel: 0114 260 2600

Guide to college-based higher education

City of Bristol College Bristol

The College of North West London London

We are a QAA UK Quality Assured College offering full-time and part-time Higher Education courses in a range of subjects. Many of our students study at our dedicated University Centre at Ashley Down. Studying with us means you can benefit from significantly lower fees than most universities, smaller class sizes and strong employer links. TOP THREE We work in partnership COURSES with Plymouth University, AVAILABLE University of the West THROUGH of England, Bath Spa CLEARING University, University • Health of Gloucestershire and & Social Care Edexcel to deliver a • Dance Theatre range of HNC, HND and Performance Foundation Degrees. • Computing & Information You’ll get all the support Technology you need at City of Bristol College. We offer high levels of individual support from experienced tutors as well as in-house careers advice to help you in further study or employment. Invest in your future at City of Bristol College.

The College of North West London has successfully delivered Higher Education qualifications for many years, working with respected universities. With employers expecting career-focused qualifications, and the increasing cost of university, more students now choose to TOP THREE take HE courses with us. COURSES HE at CNWL is: AVAILABLE THROUGH Affordable. HE courses are CLEARING competitively priced and • Electrical you can apply for a loan & Electronic for course fees through Engineering Student Finance England • Construction & Built Flexible. Our HE courses Environment are mostly taught in one • Computing three sessions per week. You can fit your studies around your work and life commitments. High quality. Courses are planned prepare you for a successful career. Our HE students have access to support including careers and financial guidance.

Contact

Ashley Down Centre, Ashley Down Road, Bristol, BS7 9BU Web: www.cityofbristol.ac.uk Tel: 0117 312 5171

Dudden Hill Lane, London NW10 2XD Olympic Way, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 8HP Web: www.cnwl.ac.uk Tel:020 8208 5050

Basingstoke College of Technology

South & City College Birmingham

At BCoT the progress of our students ranks us in the top 22% of colleges nationally, and in the top 15% for achievement. Our students also rate us above national averages for their overall satisfaction with the College. We are an amazing launch pad for progression to university as well as employment, so make the most of your future and opt to study with us.

Higher education courses don’t have to be studied at a university. At South & City College Birmingham we have a range of courses that can lead to higher education qualifications that will suit your learning needs. They can also help you progress into employment or further study at university.

TOP THREE We offer many courses COURSES from at different levels AVAILABLE right up to university THROUGH level qualifications; the CLEARING challenge is deciding which • Travel of our many options is and Tourism right for you. Don’t worry • Business though, our One Stop Shop • Fashion team is here to help you explore your ideas, and our application process is designed to make sure that you can investigate all of your options.

TOP THREE COURSES AVAILABLE THROUGH CLEARING • Games Design • Fashion • Health & Social Care

Basingstoke

Birmingham

By choosing to study a higher education qualification you will benefit from being able to study locally in smaller class sizes than at a university, possibly at a lower cost.

You can also study flexibly, on a part-time basis. The good news is that you will still be able to progress onto a full degree programme in the second or final year.

Our courses are competitively priced and most of our students go on to a final year at University to gain a full Honours degree.

Contact

Worting Road, Basingstoke, RG21 8TN Web: www.bcot.ac.uk Tel: 01256 354141

Digbeth Campus, High Street, Deritend, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5SU Web: www.sccb.ac.uk Tel: 0800 111 6311

We are the UK's leading website for School and College leavers seeking alternatives to Uni

Uxbridge College London

Take your study higher at Uxbridge College university level courses, without the university fees. With our HE qualifications you’ll learn practical skills combined with theory, taught by staff with years of industry experience to enhance your learning and give you the valuable skills demanded by employers. In our recent HE inspection an unprecedented ten areas of good practice were acknowledged including effective leadership and management partnership work and student support. Plus in a national survey our HE students said they were 100% satisfied with their course!

TOP THREE COURSES AVAILABLE THROUGH CLEARING • Engineering • Business • Travel & Tourism Management

Our high quality courses have some of the most competitive tuition fees in west London, so you can take advantage of a cost effective way to study without compromising on quality.

Contact Uxbridge Campus, Park Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 1NQ Web: www.uxbridgecollege.ac.uk Tel: 01895 853333

Check out our site for: • 1,000’s of opportunities • 100’s of leading employers & training providers • 100’s of video case studies Get an apprenticeship! Get online! Get inspired! Get applying! www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

ENHANCE YOUR SKILLS Foundation degrees and HNDs at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College and Reading College - your route to a highly skilled job.

» » » » »

Business and Enterprise (Oxford and Reading) Computing and Systems Development (Reading) Creative Arts and Design Practice (Banbury and Reading) Creative Media Production (Banbury)

» » » »

Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Reading) Graphic Design (Banbury) Mechanical Engineering (Reading) Motorsports - Performance and Automotive Technology (Bicester)

Early Years (Banbury)

For more info visit: www.ocvc.ac.uk or call: 01865 550 550 www.reading-college.ac.uk or call: 0800 371 434

CHOOSE YOUR OWN PATH...

apprenticeships

APPRENTICESHIPS

The facts about apprenticeships Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard all about getting a degree, but what about the upsides of being an apprentice?

2.65

women rule!

The majority of apprenticeship starters in 2012 were female

the national minimum wage for apprentices aged 19 or under, or over 19 and in the first year of their apprentice. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a weekly wage of:

1-4 80%

170

the number of years an apprenticeship takes, depending on the course

Working hard 80% of those employers who employ apprentices agree they make their workplace more productive.

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77% twitter.com/notgoingtouni

tag Competitive advan 77% of employers believe apprenticeships make them more competitive.

67,000 83%

people started an apprenticeship in health and social in 2012 making it the most popular apprenticeship scheme choice.

it’s never too late to learn

Happy employers

of employers who employ apprentices rely on the apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future

“Future skills shortages in key sectors could hold back our economic performance, so boosting higher level apprenticeships now is the right thing to do”

There was an 820% increase in people aged 60+ starting an apprenticeship in 2012

Neil Carberry, CBI director for employment and skills

100,000 57%

Path to success

57% of employers report a high proportion of apprentices going on to management positions within the company.

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88%

the extra you’ll earn over your lifetime if you get an apprenticeship.

Happy workers 88% of employers who employ apprentices believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce.

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TAKE A GAP YEAR

: Post school option

become an apprentice

When it comes time to leave school, people often assume their options for the future are either further education or going straight into work. Both options come with their own pros and cons and each will prove ideal for some school leavers, but if you’re tempted by both then you might be interested in a combination of the two: an apprenticeship.

odern apprenticeships are all about mixing on-the-job training with classroom learning to create wellrounded, highly-skilled employees who have qualifications relevant to their trade as well as real life experience in the industry.

According to the Department for Education, over 100,000 employers offer them, and there are more than 200 different types of apprenticeships available in more than 1,200 job roles. The number of people starting an apprenticeship has increased by 63% in the last year, and in the first nine months of 2012 383,200 people started an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships have been around for a long time, having existed in some form as early on as the 13th Century. Famous apprentices include Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 and above, with the only condition being that you must not be in full-time education. Individual apprenticeship courses will each have their own entry requirements depending on the subject and level, but generally speaking they are for everyone. 46

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The Basics So how does an apprenticeship actually work? Well, as an apprentice, in whatever field you choose you’ll be splitting your time between working for a real employer in a real life business and studying for a work-based qualification in a local college or training organisation. Some apprentices go to college on a day release basis, while others go off to train in blocks of two or three days. During your study time you’ll meet apprentices from the same or similar industries to your own and you’ll be able to share your experience and insight with them as they share theirs with you. The actual amount of time you’ll spend in the workplace will depend on your employer, what their company does and the business demands of that company. As an apprentice you’ll be expected to work at least 16 hours a week, but most apprentices work a lot more than this and your job could see you working more than 30 hours a week. For example, as a cabin crew apprentice with an airline, your working hours would depend on the flight paths you’re assigned to and could be quite unsociable.

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You could earn a lot more than the minimum wage.

You get to earn and learn with an apprenticeship - it’s no wonder they’re so happy.

Why Do An Apprenticeship? Earning a wage is important, and apprentices must be paid at least £2.65 an hour (rising to £2.68 in October 2013) by their employer. Employers are funded by the government to take on apprentices and you could earn a lot more than the minimum wage depending on what job you have and at what level. As a paid employee you’ll be eligible for other benefits such as holiday entitlement and sickness pay too.

because you’ll be immersing yourself in your chosen industry in a real workplace, dealing with the dayto-day jobs that need doing. You’ll benefit from the experience of your colleagues, who could have years of industry experience and knowledge to impart to you. They’re also great because you get to put into practice the theoretical and academic things you learn on your college days.

Department for Education figures suggest that those with a Level 2 Apprenticeship earn around £73,000 more over their lifetime, on average, than those with a Level 2 qualification or below; and those with an Advanced Apprenticeship earn around £105,000 more.

In this way, they’re suitable for either those who learn best from practical, hands-on work, or those who learn better when someone explains the job and how it is done. Whichever category you fall into, you’ll have the support of your employer who will help you with any difficulties you might have as well as answering your questions and tracking your progress.

Apprenticeships are a great way to learn a trade

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APPRENTICESHIPS

Is It Just For Plumbers?

Sketching out a brighter future.

NO! Apprenticeships are not solely about “getting a trade” - they range from plumbing to childcare, art & design to agriculture, and everything in between - so if you’re thinking about starting an apprenticeship there’s bound to be something to interest you. You can see what sorts of courses are available on the jobs section of the Not Going To Uni site www.notgoingtouni.co.uk. The work you do on one apprenticeship can be massively different from that of another apprentice. The work often involves supporting fully qualified staff, such as mucking out stables on an equine apprenticeship or providing chair-side support on a dental apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are not solely about “getting a trade.” By the time you finish your apprenticeship you’ll be in a great position to find employment, with between 12 months and four years’ worth of on-the-job experience, as well as the most relevant work-based qualifications for your sector. Employers will see that you are a hardworking and dedicated person who isn’t afraid to start from the bottom and strive to work themselves up the ladder. What job you do then is up to you, but apprentices can go on to become everything from self-employed plumbers to child-minders. There is a range of apprenticeships in everything from engineering to Search Engine Optimisation. It all depends on how far you want to take your apprenticeship and how hard you work. Salaries for successful apprentices are as varied as the job roles they typically go on to, but the key thing to understand is that by earning a qualification with your apprenticeship you will earn a lot more than you would if you simply took an entry level position. If you’re thinking about starting an apprenticeship and want to know more, check out notgoingtouni.co.uk, where you’ll also find more information and advice about gap years and the other post-school options that are out there, like foundation degrees, voluntary work and sponsored degrees.

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Find out more www.notgoingtouni.co.uk Has a massive database of apprenticeships for you to search, covering all industries and areas.

www.apprenticeships.org.uk For more information about the types of apprenticeships on offer and to learn more about the different careers.

www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk 0800 100 900 National Careers Service tells you where your local college is and gives more advice about the apprenticeships on offer.

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Could you be our next apprentice?

So you want to learn, qualify and be proud of the career you choose, but there are too many things holding you back? If you live within Essex* an Essex Apprenticeship could be the answer. More than 2000 young people have already signed up, so whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stopping you? * excluding Thurrock, Southend and London Boroughs.

Discover your future at www.facebook.com/essexapprentice

CASE STUDY

Danielle Parker

become an apprentice

Age: 17 Education: High school Based: The Manor House in Lancashire, which is a nursing home for elderly people

When leaving school at 16, Danielle knew she wanted a rewarding job in adult social care. An Apprenticeship was the perfect way for Danielle to get straight into work and become a confident care worker. While Danielle was in her final year at high school, she was sure that she wanted to work with older people, having been inspired by the care that her grandmother was giving to her 95-year old great-grandfather and the work her sister was doing on a dementia unit. Danielle was just as sure that she didn’t want to go into further education, the prospect of two further years of study with limited practical application of her learning did not appeal. When her school social worker told her about Apprenticeships, where she could earn a wage at the same time as learning, Danielle realised that the combination would be perfect for her. After visiting her local job centre and enquiring about specific Apprenticeship opportunities, Danielle attended interviews and was offered a placement at Manor House, a residential home for older people. From her very first day, Danielle was given real work to do and she quickly adapted to her new role, learning new skills including the management of residents’ personal care, showering and bathing, feeding and carrying out activities with residents. One of Danielle’s key challenges was learning how to speak to residents. With little experience of

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older people, she felt shy and unsure initially, but soon learned from her mentors, and from the residents themselves! Working four days a week at the home, Danielle attended college on Tuesdays to study for a level 2 qualification in health and social care. The new experiences she had encountered at Manor House were invaluable, bringing practical knowledge to the theory she was learning on the course. As with any new job, Danielle initially found the scale of things to learn quite daunting. She hadn’t realised quite how wide ranging the job could be until she started. But the support she received from her colleagues soon helped her to settle in and gain confidence. Danielle said: “If I had just done my qualification at college, I wouldn’t have been able to do the work as well as I do it now – it was so much better for me to learn on the job.” She’s now preparing for further study and is determined to continue and progress in adult social care. She’s proud of her achievements, and that she has such a satisfying job. Danielle also now supports the new apprentices at Manor House, as they start their own programme. To find out more about adult social care Apprenticeships, visit: www.skillsforcare.org.uk/apprenticeships

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think social care “Knowing that I can make people happier is the most satisfying part of my job”

There are a huge range of jobs available in adult social care, such as...

front line care workers, therapists, activity organisers, managers, administration…

There’s more to social care than you might think – every day is different. You might be helping people to socialise with friends, go shopping or even go on holiday.

You could be in a l home, out in your loca community, or working in someone’s house.

How do I g adult soc et into ial care?

One of th e into the s best ways to ge t an Appre ector is through nticeship . Earn whil e you lea rn. Gain qua lifications . Become a confide n and skille d worker. t

For more information about adult social care Apprenticeships:

www.skillsforcare.org.uk/apprenticeships or email: info@skillsforcare.org.uk

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CASE STUDY

Brandon Read Age: 21 Education: GCSEs (4 A-C) Based at: NewVoiceMedia, Basingstoke. Job: IT Assistant. What sort of things does the role involve? My role involves setting up IT equipment for new starters, maintaining IT equipment and responding to any issues raised by staff. Learning in both a practical and classroom environment has been such a great experience and I’m pleased to be working at the company and starting my career in the industry. There’s a brilliant community and everyone is so friendly and helpful. I can talk to anyone if I have any queries, which is ideal for learning more and progressing. Other than that, my favourite bit is the variety of the work. There aren’t any areas of my role that I don’t enjoy because I treat everything as a learning process; I’m always hungry to learn. How did you get to this position? What applications did you have to do? I was offered the role of IT Assistant following a nine-month advanced apprenticeship in ‘IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals’ after completing my training through Vision Workforce Skills. Some of the qualifications I gained on the apprenticeship, are: • Advanced Apprenticeship in IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals • CompTIA A+: Microsoft Certified IT Professional • Microsoft Technology Associate: Networking Fundamentals • Microsoft Technology Associate: Windows Operating Systems Fundamentals • HP ATA: Connected Devices • Level 2 Key Skills in Information & Communication Technology The apprenticeship scheme offered a great mix of on-the-job training and classroom-based learning,

become an apprentice

and I was very pleased to be offered a role at NewVoiceMedia to start my career in the industry. What advice can you give to other young people who might want to do what you’re doing? I would advise them to go for it! Apprenticeship schemes are a great way of embarking on your ideal career. Set yourself a goal and make a plan to achieve it. Lots of encouragement from your family really helps too. Why did you chose this path? I always loved new technology and especially gaming. I then found the apprenticeship course where I could turn my hobby into a promising career. What have been the biggest challenges so far? My biggest challenges were also my first major IT triumphs – passing my CompTIA A+ operating systems and networking exams, and also two MTA exams. Where would you like to be in five years’ time? I’d love to progress my career to a high level. Last month I was thrilled to be honoured as a top performing apprentice at a House of Lords reception, I will always strive for more and never be happy with just being content. In five years, I want to continue having a positive attitude and work with a smile on my face. Outside of the office, I’d love to have my own martial arts class in the future, and have a short term goal of climbing England’s highest mountain.

For more about NewVoiceMedia, visit www.newvoicemedia.com

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CASE STUDY

Samuel-James Wilson Age: 25 Education: GCSE’s, Level 2, Level 3 NVQ Based in: Harrogate, North Yorkshire Please describe what you do? I have been in the building trade since I was 15 years old, I am now 25 and I have worked with various trades up and down the country so I can turn my hand to various things. Once day I can be roofing, laying a patio or even re-turfing a lawn. The other I can be repointing a 15 century house or building a garden folly using only reclaimed materials. For me, being a heritage bricklayer, this is where my passion lies. I love nothing more than restoring old buildings and bringing them back to their former glory. The least favourite will have to be the harder, labouring work. I did this for many years before being allowed to touch a bricklayer’s trowel and even now I am called in to give a hand. Its not the best work but it pays the bills! How did you get to this position? I gained my original job as a plumber through a very kind teacher once I had been kicked out of school. I was so lucky to be given this chance. I soon realised I didn’t enjoy touching toilets so I decided to work with a general, local, builder with whom I worked as a labourer for two years before I was taught how to lay bricks and that’s what I did for a few years before I was contacted about The Prince’s Foundation Scholarship. In order to gain a very elusive position on the Building Skill in Craft Programme with The Prince’s Foundation I was expected to do a very comprehensive application for this course included a rather large portfolio of all my work and references I had gained during my career. I very luckily got called up for an interview in London which was in turn, the first ever time I wore a suit! I had to get up at 4am that day to catch the train, I arrived on time just before I took part in a rather nerve wracking interview and was told that I would be contacted in a few weeks. They were so impressed with me, they told me the next day – I was one of only ten other people in the country, out of hundreds that had applied to gain a position and a scholarship.

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become an apprentice

What advice would you give others? I was told I would achieve nothing unless I succeeded at school this was drilled into me from an early age, I didn’t do well at all and it has never hindered me in anything. If you have a passion, if you want to achieve great things in your life, make a plan. Anything is possible in life as long as your believe in yourself and what you’re doing. There will be people along the way that don’t agree – it is your life, live it! Why did you chose this path? I didn’t actually choose anything to do with my career until the offer was in front of me. The only path I have set for myself is my ‘life Mission’ a master plan that I have had from a very early age. What have been the biggest challenges so far? I guess being kicked out of school, having all belief taken from you in one fell swoop. Having to make choices for myself back then wasn’t easy. I just knew that I had to do something that would set me up for life and something that would allow me to become successful. Where would you like to be in five years’ time? I would like to think I would be five years closer to achieving my ‘Life Mission’. To find out more visit: www.apprentice-ship.com Photo courtesy of apprentice-ship.com

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YoUR nExT STEPS To bECoMIng An ICAEW CHArTErEd ACCOuNTANT If you’re bright, ambitious and want to get your career in business off the ground, there are a variety of school leaver and apprenticeship programmes which offer an exciting alternative to University.

up to five years to fully qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Entry requirements vary but we advise you have at least 3 GCSE’s grade A*-C (including a B or above in Maths and English) and a minimum of 280 UCAS points in any A-level subjects.

We work with a range of organisations that offer non-graduate routes to becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. They recognise that bright and ambitious students may have just achieved some great A-level grades and want to jump straight into a career instead of going to university.

Once you have secured a school leaver vacancy, you may be allowed to start the ACA qualification straight away, however most employers will ask you to study for one of the following first:

The great thing about school leaver programmes is that you’ll be in the workplace from day one.Your employer will give you a wide range of on-the-job experience, which will also counts towards your professional qualification; the ACA. They will give you time out to study and take your exams and the best news is that you’ll be earning a salary at the same time!

• Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) • Higher Apprenticeship in Professional Services • AAT qualification (Association of Accounting Technicians) Once you have completed one of the above qualifications, you will be able to progress onto the ACA, building on the skills and experience you have already gained.

Depending on the programme and employer you choose, it can take

THOmAS’ STOry Thomas is an Audit Principal for the National Audit Office in London and chose to study start a career in accountancy straight after he finished his A-levels. ‘The percentage of FTSE 100 boards that have ACA qualified chartered accountants was a huge attraction for me when looking into potential professional qualifications. Another attraction of the ACA was that I was able to complete it through the AAT-ACA Fast Track.This scheme allowed me to leave school after my A-levels, work towards a prestigious qualification all while getting practical experience as an accountant with the National Audit Office. I am now an Audit Principal for the National Audit Office, which plays an important part in helping to ensure that the Government is held accountable to Parliament for the way it uses public money. A typical day doesn’t exist and I can be anywhere from the office in London, to visiting clients in other parts of the country or indeed Europe. The most difficult aspect of training via the AAT-ACA Fast Track has been balancing work commitments and study. However I don’t have any regrets about not going to university and I feel perhaps even at a slight advantage to my peers, as I have already had four years’ experience working for the National Audit Office.’

FInD oUT MoRE AboUT ICAEW T: +44 (0)1908 248250 E: careers@icaew.com W: Icaew.com/careers

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CHOOSE YOUR OWN PATH...

take a gap year

TAKE A GAP YEAR

The facts about Gap Years Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard all about getting a degree, but what about the benefits of a gap year?

Get smart

The majority of people who take a gap year before going to university end up doing better in their studies than their peers who went to uni straight from school.

volunteer

42,000

students volunteer throughout the country

Wanted: Gappers

73%

34,049

of employers said they would rather employ someone with volunteering experience

applicants deferred their university acceptance for a year in 2008

top five destinations

Canada Source: Year Out Group

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kenya

200,000

young people take gap years every year

How much will it cost me? On average a gap year costs between £3,000 £4,000. You can get a complete around the world travel package exclusively for gap year students from around £8,000 – including flights, work visas and volunteering arranged for you.

30%

The Invincibles 30% of gap year students travel abroad alone – the Foreign Office calls them ‘Invincibles’

22%

No Booze Cruise 22% of 18 – 24 year olds say volunteering helps them cut down on alcohol

south africa

india

australia find us online: notgoingtouni.co.uk

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TAKE A GAP YEAR

: Post school option

gap year

It’s not only the rich who can afford to go waltzing off around the world on a gap year, safe in the knowledge that they have Daddy’s credit card should anything go wrong. In 2012 it was estimated that 2.5 million people aged 18-24 took a gap year, with 30% funding it themselves. No wonder it’s a popular option, because it not only gives you a break after your studies, but also gives you something amazing to put on your CV.

he most exciting opportunity a gap year offers to most students is the chance to see the world. There’s a huge variety of things to see and do and even though the average cost of gap year travel is between £3,000 and £4,000, depending on which experience you choose it could mean a massive difference in the overall cost – some could even see you earning money. Have a look at www.notgoingtouni.co.uk for a full range of options, but here are a few different types of gap year to consider.

Summer Camps These holiday activity camps for children are particularly popular in the US, where they are often located in beautiful countryside and themed around a particular subject (religion, arts, sports and of course, weight loss). Most of the jobs involve working as a counsellor, being responsible for teaching and looking after groups of campers.

Working

Volunteering If you not only want to see the world but save it too, then a period of volunteering – or ‘voluntourism’ as it’s sometimes known - could be for you. There are many organisations around the world that desperately need the help of young people to help with community infrastructure projects, medical aid programmes or work with endangered animals.

Plenty of young people take a year out before university for rest or relaxation. For others who decide to work it may be that they want to earn some money and get some experience before heading off to university; it could be that they want to make sure they’re choosing the right course - whatever it is, a period of working is the perfect experience and will ultimately make you more employable.



There’s a huge variety of things to see and do and some gap years could even see you earning money. 60

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Choose your travel partners wisely.

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TAKE A GAP YEAR

One of the great things about working is that you wouldn’t necessarily have to do it in this country. Consider some of the amazing things you can work at around the world (see TEFL below) - you could end up in the mountains doing chalet work, or in the fields of Australia picking fruit.

TEFL TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, although confusingly it’s also referred to as TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and ELT - English Language Teaching, but they all refer to much the same thing. Although you might think that you’d need a degree to go abroad and teach students how to speak English, for many positions all they ask for is some teaching experience (which you can get by taking a TEFL course) and a good standard of spoken English.

Just Travel Although it’s great if you are able to use your year off to establish some level of employability skills and do something worthwhile, there really is nothing wrong with just letting off some steam after nearly two decades in education.

The gap year industry is big business and there are companies out there which tell you everything you need to plan for.

Fake shades, real body odour.

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How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Take a Gap Year

It’s very hard to find a babysitter who will take your children while you go on a gap year.

So you’ve thought about taking a gap year, you’ve done your research on destinations, work and study opportunities and you’ve decided to go for it – but then you tell your parents and they respond with a big fat “No”. What do you do? Well, if you’re having a hard time convincing your parents to let you take a gap year, or you’re a parent who has some reservations, here’s everything you need to know. Their main concerns about your gap year are likely to be about your safety. Letting a loved one go off alone to a foreign country is understandably scary for them, but there are a few things you can tell them to set their minds at ease. Firstly, they should know that you will not be alone; more likely you will be in good company with loads of other gappers, whose parents are probably equally worried about them. Secondly, proper planning and preparation – which your parents can get involved with - will ensure that you never end up stranded without your passport, money or a place to stay. The gap year industry is big business these days, and there are companies out there which tell you everything you need to plan for. Let your parents get involved in the planning process – they don’t have to make any decisions for you; just show them where you’re going, what you’ll be doing and with whom. Another concern might be that your year out is just an excuse to go slacking off for twelve months in sunnier climes and that it isn’t really worth the cost. While it’s true that some people still see the gap year as the reserve of the well-to-do slacker, it can have huge benefits for your future prospects. Many gappers fund their travels by actually working along the way in an industry they hope to break into. This looks great on a CV and shows independence and dedication. Others take a sports gap year, where they spend a season abroad playing and coaching their chosen sport. This could look great on the CV of an aspiring personal trainer, PE teacher or athlete.

Find out more www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

Some people still see the gap year as the reserve of the well-to-do slacker, but it can have huge benefits for your future prospects. find us online: notgoingtouni.co.uk

An excellent resource for all things gap year – start here.

www.fco.gov.uk Check out their excellent Know Before You Go campaign.

www.gapyear.com the largest gap year advice site and social network on the web.

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EDUCATION STEP THROUGH THE DOOR TO A GREAT CAREER TODAY WITH QA APPRENTICESHIPS Undecided on which route to take? Worried about building up debt due to university with no guarantee of a job at the end? With a QA Apprenticeship in IT, sales or business, you can get qualified, in work and earning from day one.

Why become a QA Apprentice? • 100% of QA Apprentices have jobs from day one of their 12–14 month apprenticeship programmes • 94% of QA apprentices secure permanent employment after completing; this is 20% higher than the national average (National Apprenticeship Service 2012)

• Apprenticeship Programme of the Year at The Learning Awards for 2012 & 2013 and are also rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted • Our apprentices work for industry leaders including Atos, British Gas, BSkyB, Capgemini and Cisco

Apply now for a QA Apprenticeship: Web: www.qa.com/apprenticeships Tel: 0845 074 7825 Email: apprenticeships@qa.com

CASE STUDY

Lucy Pilgrim

take a gap year

Age: 22 Qualications: degree in Early Years education. What are you doing? I have just completed University, and am now travelling for the second time. I took a gap year before University and it was the best thing I’ve done! I was so fed up with education that I knew I needed a break, and what better to do than travel the world for nine months. I was never quite sure if I would get the flight home to go to University or stay and work in Australia instead, but having the freedom to do either was great. This also gave me the break I needed to continue with education, however throughout my final year the only thing keeping me going was knowing I was planning my next trip! I am currently travelling Asia for three months before arriving in Australia on a working holiday visa to be an au pair for six months. To be an au pair, despite having a degree in Early Years, you don’t need any specific qualifications, just some experience with young children. In the interviews I had via skype the most important factor seemed to be good chemistry with the family and a passion for the job. I have no set plans for returning to England, as I am simply going to see how much I enjoy Australia, and if I want to stay or move on to more travelling and possibly a different country’s working holiday scheme such as Canada or New Zealand.

Why did you choose this path? I chose to travel and work abroad now as it is the ideal time to go - whilst I have no responsibilities in England, and before I settle into a career. Not every day of being away from family and friends is easy, however it is well worth it for the opportunity to travel the world. I also consider travelling to be an amazing education, as it teaches you many things about yourself and others that you would never learn in England, through meeting such a wide variety of people, living in such a social travelling environment and seeing new places. What are the advantages with regard to a career? I have found that travelling looks great upon my CV, as I can talk about all the things I have learnt from travelling and how much of a better person I am for it. My main advice regarding travelling would be have a go - if you don’t like it home and your friends and family are always there for you to return to. Most people however love travelling, and it opens up pathways to so many new friends in places around the world, and a great amount of amazing new experiences. To find out more about gap years, take a look at www.notgoingtouni.co.uk

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CASE STUDY

Rusja Foster Age: 25 Education: Degree Level - BA (Hons) Film Where are you based: Everywhere! Grew up in London, but now live and work all over the world.

Please describe what you do I don’t really have a set job or career quite yet but I do a number of different things, most of them totally unrelated to my degree. I run a travel blog (www. rooaroundtheworld.com) all about my adventures around the world, with updates on my life, photos, videos and reviews of hostels, trips and travel related products. I also write about travel for various online publications such as gapyear.com and mydestination. com. And finally I am a freelance video editor (this is the only bit of my work that pertains to my degree qualification), so I cut various things for TV and film, as well as editing showreels for actors. Out of all of this, my favourite part is the running of my website… it’s taken about three years to get where I am with it and it’s been a huge learning curve, but it’s something I thoroughly enjoy everyday. My least favourite bit of my work is the video editing, as I don’t really find it that inspiring anymore, and I usually just do it to earn some money and fund my travels…it’s more of a means to an end than anything else. How did you get to this position? What qualifications? What applications did you have to do? I got my A-Levels in Art, English and Psychology and then went to uni to do an Art Foundation Diploma which I absolutely loved! Then I took a gap year (as I really didn’t know what I wanted to do next) and traveled America for three months by myself which was an incredible experience and really sparked the travel bug in me. I then applied through UCAS and went to University in Falmouth, Cornwall to study Film, which I enjoyed and it taught me a lot. Obviously my degree has provided me with a skill that I can now utilise and earn money from (video editing), but it hasn’t really contributed to what I really want to do

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take a gap year

– travel and work in the online social media world… this I’ve kind of just figured out as I’ve gone along. Why did you chose this path? I wish that someone had told me it was ok not to go to University. My family very much wanted me to go and get a degree so I would at least have that qualification, and while I’m glad I did it and I had a great three years, I don’t feel that it necessarily contributed to my career prospects. It wasn’t until the end of my 2nd year at uni that I started to figure out that all I wanted to do was travel and somehow make traveling my career and my life. I’m still yet to work out all the details but I’m happier than ever just doing what I want to do. So my advice to people trying to decide about uni, is just to take your time. There’s no rush and no need to plan out your whole life right now, just do the things that interest you, and everything will fall into place. What have been the biggest challenges so far? With traveling, there’s definitely some obstacles to overcome – money is a massive issue. You have to find a way to support yourself until you can turn your travels into your job (e.g. by having a website, or being a freelance travel writer), and then obviously there are always going to be people around you who don’t understand why you want to do what you want to do. That’s a tough thing to overcome. Where would you like to be in five years’ time? Sitting on a beach somewhere, writing an article about my travels for some big name travel magazine. To follow Roo’s adventures take a look at her excellent website www.rooaroundtheworld.com

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Challenge yourself to change your world VSO ICS is an ‘International Citizen Service’ programme for 18-25 year olds from any background. You don’t need any particular skills or qualifications, but we do take into account why you want to take part in the programme and your enthusiasm. It’s an opportunity to experience another culture, challenge yourself and develop transferrable skills to bring back with you. The three months volunteering could be part of postschool or college skills development or a gap year. Why volunteer? There are many reasons why you should consider volunteering with VSO ICS. The programme has been designed to help you gain an understanding of the challenges faced in different countries as well as enabling you to have a real impact on those challenges.

We only work with organisations and projects who have specifically requested our help so you know you are making a real contribution to fighting poverty. You will encounter and help tackle some of the biggest issues of our world today. Like how young people can fulfil their potential, widening opportunities for people who lack formal education and how to prevent more people from being affected by HIV and AIDS. At the end of the programme you will bring all this knowledge back to the UK with you, as well as important skills such as team-working, communication, negotiation and decision making. The experience gained could help you choose a career path or find a job as well as having made some great friends.

Here’s what some previous volunteers have to say:

“Being a part of ICS has opened so many doors for me. I have recently passed my PGCE and I only got to enrol on the course as I had gained experience while on the programme” Peter, VSO ICS Volunteer in Kenya

“It has completely changed my life. I’ve finally been able to use my skills and contribute to something greater.” David, VSO ICS Volunteer in Bangladesh

Sounds good? Well you can do it. You don’t need special skills, money or qualifications just the passion and motivation to make a difference. So don’t wait around... discover how you can help change the world at vso-ics.org.uk

Are you a

? t i r i p S ee

Have you decided that uni is not for you? Then look no further than our School Leavers Trainee Management Programme! Not only does it give you the qualifications you need to progress but it also starts you off on a great career in hospitality. You’ll train to be Deputy General Manager or Kitchen Manager ready within 18 months, and you’ll be leading your own pub or kitchen in no time!

Team Player

Would you like to be part of a friendly team that’s responsible for keeping our Guests smiling?

What are the benefits of joining the programme? Gain a level 2 apprenticeship qualification Learn whilst you earn Gain technical qualifications including cellar quality, bar quality and a train the trainer qualification Gain your personal licence Develop workplace skills and knowledge to prepare you for management Foundations of a great career with Spirit Pub Company

Why Spirit Pub Company? Our aim is to become the No1 hospitality company in the UK, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be joining a team with a strong ambition! Our portfolio includes over 800 pubs nationwide and we operate a number of award winning brands including:

Add to this a competitive wage, 6 weeks holiday, company discounts, award winning training and excellent career progression opportunities, Spirit Pub Company is a great place to work!

Deputy General Manager Want to manage a team and keep a pub running smoothly every single day?

General Manager

Ever wanted to run your own pub?

Scan the QR code to find out more about the School Leavers Trainee Management Programme. www.spiritpubcompanycareers.com

Cambridge TECHNICALS

THE NEW VOCATIONAL ALTERNATIVE TO A LEVELS Cambridge Technicals are exciting and inspiring qualifications that provide essential skills for the workplace or progression to further/higher education. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great range of subjects to choose from: Art and Design, Business, Health and Social Care, IT, Media and Sport.

View the Students Guide to Cambridge Technicals at ocr.org.uk/cambridgetechnicals

CHOOSE YOUR OWN PATH...

get qualified

GET QUALIFIED

The facts about getting qualifications You’ve heard all about getting a degree, but what about other qualifications and alternative styles of study?

a-ha! it’s all a blur Celebrities who didn’t go to university, instead choosing to study an alternative qualification include TV presenter Gail Porter (HND Media production), Blur drummer Dave Rowntree (HND computer science) and comedian Steve Coogan (Diploma in theatre).

two years The time a Foundation degree takes, depending on the course

five Jobs you can get with professional qualifications (and no degree!)

1. Accountant 2. Lawyer 3. Surveyor 4. Web developer 5. Sales Manager 72

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Number of students completing a short degree course:

24 865 18 850 9 275 ,

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in 2010

in 2009

in 2007

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17%

Young crowd 17% of the Open Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total student population are aged 25 and under.

doctor, doctor R.K. Rai is thought to have the most qualifications in the world, having notched up a total of 22 degrees, five PhDs, three D.Lits and nine other qualifications. He lives in India and though he is 65 years old, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still planning to obtain more qualifications.

253,000 OVER

people study with Open University

take a tumble

The Circus Space offers a foundation degree in circus arts, where every year 20 students learn how to become a good circus performer.

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GET QUALIFIED

: Post school option

get more qualifications

Here’s a fact to bear in mind: on average, by learning a language, you boost your earning potential by 20%. This is a great example of why getting more qualifications and skills are well worth considering. Not only that, but if you’re yet to take your first steps into the jobs market, then you won’t yet know just how difficult it has become to get a job in recent years

he recession has caused many businesses to make drastic cutbacks, or even cease trading altogether. This means that there are more people competing for fewer jobs and it’s more important than ever to make yourself stand out from the crowd. One way you can separate yourself from the pack is to beef up your CV and skills by getting more qualifications.

your studies are over. It’s important to do your research to find out what types of qualifications, courses and institutions are most suitable for your future plans, and you can discuss these things with careers advisors.

If you’re looking into getting more qualifications, it’s important to consider things like what it will cost, how long you want to commit to further study and what you will be planning to do with your qualifications when

With so many qualifications out there it can be hard to know which is best for you. With that in mind, here’s a look at some common qualifications that you might be interested in.

Doesn’t this mean going to uni and getting a degree? Heck no - there are hundreds of qualifications out there that can prove your skills to employers that won’t take you anywhere near a university.

There are more people competing for fewer jobs and it’s more important than ever to make yourself stand out from the crowd. 74

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

You can study anywhere (wifi not included).

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GET QUALIFIED

One of the most surprising things for people leaving school is how many high profile jobs you can get into with professional qualifications alone.

Professional Qualifications

Foundation Degrees

Professional qualifications are the sorts of industryled exams that give you a very high quality learning experience in a particular subject. One of the most surprising things for people leaving school is how many high profile jobs you can get into with professional qualifications alone: HR, law, accountancy, journalism. None of these would necessarily need a degree, but you could progress in all of them with the industries-own qualifications.

You may have heard of foundation degrees, which are an alternative route to getting a university degree, but with a heavy emphasis on hands-on learning in the workplace – unlike a classroom-based honours degree.

Distance Learning Distance learning involves studying from home, or away from the college or training institution which provides your course. All your course notes, seminars and other training materials are sent to you through the post or via the web. As an option for getting more qualifications, distance learning is very flexible and allows students to complete the course in their own time, fitting their studies around their work or family lives. At the same time, distance learning can be more demanding than other types of study as it is up to the student to manage their time and workload well.

Despite what its name implies, the foundation degree isn’t a means with which to get onto a regular degree course – rather, it is a qualification in its own right which is equivalent to the first two years of an honours degree course. The content of a foundation degree course is informed by employers, who work with universities and colleges to make sure they deliver the most relevant teachings and qualifications necessary for their industry. Though you can expect to spend some time in a classroom on one of these courses, the bulk of your time will be spent in the workplace, where you’ll learn your trade as you go, applying the more academic things you hear about in the classroom to your everyday job.

The web has improved communication between tutors and distance learners greatly, with things like email and Skype replacing correspondence by post. This makes distance learning a great option for people who find it difficult to get to college or school, or who want to fit the course around their day job or family life. 76

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Graduates from foundation degrees still have to wear the stupid hats.

TOP TIP: distance learning does not mean reading a book at arm’s length.

FE and HE Colleges Training at Further Education colleges can range from basic training to the Higher National Diploma (HND) or National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). Higher Education institutions like universities take study to degree level. Take a look at our FE Clearing special on p27 of the Results Day Survival Guide. Studying at either level means making a commitment to two to five years of classroombased, academic study, but there are plenty of taster courses and part-time courses that allow you to improve your employability in your own time. It won’t have escaped your notice that higher education is more expensive than it has ever been, so you shouldn’t make the decision to go to university or college lightly. Research now estimates that the debt of those students beginning their studies in 2013 could be over £50,000 by the time they graduate. The amount you’ll pay for your course will depend on where you study and how long it lasts, but you may be eligible for financial support to pay for your studies and living costs. The financial assistance you are entitled to depends on your family’s financial situation and the type of course you choose. The range of subjects available for study in the many universities across Britain is wide, and you needn’t necessarily study for an honours degree. Other routes include the Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND), or Diploma of Higher Education.

Distance learning is very flexible and allows students to complete the course in their own time.

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Find out more www.notgoingtouni.co.uk Has a massive range of distance learning courses for you to search.

www.ucas.com A course search facility from UCAS allowing you to find a foundation course that’s right for you.

www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk 0800 100 900 National Careers Service has a free advice line for young people looking at their career options.

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nus.org.uk apprenticeextra.co.uk

Here’s the plan... Plan A. Stay on at school

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CASE STUDY

Sasha Hanau Education: 4 As and a B in my A / AS-Levels, CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing Based at: Search Laboratory

get qualified

Please describe what you do. In my role as marketing manager I am responsible for helping the Commercial Director grow the company through acquisition of new key clients.

maximise what I could take from my theoretical marketing studies. I’d suggest you shouldn’t rule out doing things in an unconventional way - you can study at any age.

Many young people reading your profile might like to do exactly what you’re doing – what advice can you give them? At school I was quite academic. I did well in exams and for that reason university seemed to be the obvious next step for me. My family and teachers were all adamant that was where I should head and I went along with it. I soon realised university wasn’t for me and started working full time. My first years of working really helped me get to grips with my own skills and how I wanted to apply them. Sometimes a year or two in the workplace can really help cement in your own mind what you actually want to do in your career.

What have been the biggest challenges so far? In the earliest part of my career I was frustrated that companies wouldn’t perhaps consider me for graduate programmes or that they specifically looked for graduates for certain roles I was interested in applying for. Some employers do unfortunately recruit in this way and it is very black and white. For non-graduates, even those with excellent skills, it is a big challenge. Ultimately I think businesses are also at risk of losing out on great candidates, and for that reason you shouldn’t be put off by such hurdles. Persevere! If you think you would be a credit to a company who specifies they only considers graduates – ring them or write to them explaining why you think they should consider you anyway. What’s the worst they can say – if they are not interested then there will always be lots of other more open minded companies who do want your skills and experience.

My advice is that if you are at all unsure, take a gap year (or more) and get some real-life on-the-job experience. Maybe try a few roles and then when you decide what it is you want to pursue – consider if there are any qualifications out there that will help you achieve it. It might be that those qualifications help open doors to better paid roles or allow you progress quicker than your peers. This is particularly important in really competitive areas like marketing. There is always a lot of interest in these roles. Originally my role had over 100 applicants so I am told. Why did you choose this path? I’d be lying if I said I actively chose this path when I left school. I didn’t, it evolved naturally out of trying different jobs and in different industries and refining my skill but that’s ok - you don’t have to know at 18 what you want to be doing at 28. With hindsight studying with CIM later on in my career was one of the best things I have ever done – I had the practical marketing experience to help me understand and

Equally I have found it’s not easy finding roles in good companies who care about their staff, who are growing, and that have decent career progression opportunities or are willing to really nurture talent. Those that do, have the pick of the candidates because everyone wants to work for them. Where would you like to be in five years’ time? In five years’ time I’d hope to be heading up a larger multinational marketing team as global marketing director for Search Laboratory. Find out more about CIM and Search Laboratory www.cim.co.uk/Learn/LearningHome.aspx www.searchlaboratory.com/about/careers/

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CASE STUDY

Dujon Walsham

get qualified

For Dujon Walsham, passing up university in favour of taking IT certification training was a great decision. Dujon now receives several calls per day from companies like Microsoft and Barclays asking him to come and work for them. Five years after receiving his first professional certification, CompTIA A+, he has experienced a varied and exciting IT career and is in demand the world over.

certifications, including CompTIA A+, Cisco Certified Network Associate, CompTIA Linux+ and Microsoft Certified Professional.

Dujon’s success can be traced back to an early decision to take CompTIA certifications through training provider Just IT. “I was doing a double-A level in IT at college,” he says, “but I felt like I was only scratching the surface. It was great theory, but didn’t really teach me the interesting side of IT, such as the actual detail of how computers work. I looked into uni courses and felt like they were just more of the same.”

He says, “I made the right decision to study industry certifications instead of going to university. I’ve no doubt there’s a lot of value in university study, but in my personal opinion CompTIA A+ is far more valuable than an A-Level—or even a degree, for that matter— particularly in terms of actually landing a job.”

“Then I came across CompTIA A+, which was exactly what I was looking for. It’s a more career-focused IT qualification which assesses the skills the IT industry actually want.” As a result Dujon has now worked on IT projects for an international fashion house, an events organiser and a major energy company. He played a critical part in building up the IT infrastructure to capture programmes for ITV Player. His current job involves helping companies like eBay and British Airways adopt cloud computing systems. It’s a career few people can claim five years into their working life.

“IT can be a very financially lucrative career.” says Dujon, “but you should go into it because it’s a fascinating career, not because of the money. The money will come later. I believe everyone should pursue something they’re really interested in. If you like technology, there are plenty of jobs out there that will pay you well to develop that interest. If you love your job, you’ll do it well, you’ll keep learning and progressing and getting more certifications. That’s the greatest reward in a career. I don’t feel like I’m going into work every day, I feel like I’m getting paid to do what I love.” For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.

Dujon studied Just IT’s Network Professional Programme. Through this he secured a range of IT

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We mak canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t e yo u a Astr n ona ut...

...but we can help you become a Marketer, Designer, Engineer or anything else on Earth! Art and Design

Law

Tourism and Hospitality

Business Management

Technology

Health and Social Care

T: +44 (0) 207 287 6664

W: st-patricks.ac.uk

E: info@st-patricks.ac.uk

CHOOSE YOUR OWN PATH...

go to university

GO TO UNI

The facts about going to Uni Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard the myths, but whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the truth about being a student?

dropping in, dropping out Cambridge has the lowest drop-out rate

The University of the West of Scotland has the highest drop-out rate

The University of East London

has the highest unemployment rate after six months

the female of the species

274,365

359,446

male applicants in 2011

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female applicants in 2011

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4 out of 10

It is estimated that

graduates never pay back their student loans, as it is written off after thirty years.

Big and small

did you know?

The biggest university in the UK by student population is the Open University, with 253,000 students. Manchester is the biggest â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;traditionalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; university with 42,122 students. The smallest is the highly specialised Institute of Cancer Research, part of the University of London. It has just 280 students.

Sponsored degrees are offered in many different fields including IT (Logica), Accountancy (KPMG), Engineering and nautical science (Merchant Navy).

633,811 total applicants in 2011

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Get the job 74.7% of university leavers were employed after getting their degree. SOURCE: Higher Education Statistics Agency, 2011/2012

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go to uni

: Post school option

go to uni

You might assume because we’re called Not Going To Uni that we hate universities and students. Nothing could be further from the truth. We’re just really concerned that university is often pushed as the only option by schools, when we know that so many other exciting alternatives exist.

very year we hear countless stories in the media about rising and falling university numbers, the escalating cost of tuition fees and the number of graduates struggling to find work. On the other hand we hear of graduates who have been able to land great careers off the back of their studies and qualifications. This makes it difficult to decide whether university is a good fit for us. We want the qualifications but we don’t want the debt. We want the social experience but we don’t want to move away from home. And are there other ways to get a degree without going to university? These are the kinds of dilemmas which make going to university such a big decision. If you need some help in making your mind up, here’s a no-nonsense look at going to university.

How Do I Get Into University? Universities want the best possible candidates to take up the places on the courses they offer, so they look

at your qualifications when they are making their decision. Of course, comparing different qualifications is sometimes like comparing apples and oranges, and so each qualification is awarded a set number of points according to their level and the grades you get in them. These points are called UCAS points, as they are allocated by the University and Colleges Admissions Service. When you apply to university, you do it through UCAS. You will be asked to list your qualifications, certificates and other awards (including their final or projected grades) so that your UCAS points can be tallied. Your application then goes off to your chosen universities who, if you’re successful, will make you a conditional offer – guaranteeing you a place on your chosen course, so long as you pass your A-Levels, NVQs or BTECs at the required level and thus obtain the required number of UCAS points. If you don’t, you can always apply through clearing, a service which matches up students who didn’t quite meet the course or institution requirements with available courses at other (or the same) institutions. See our Results Day Survival Guide, earlier on in the publication for a full explanation of how Clearing works.

There are as many reasons not to go to university as there are to go. It all depends on what you hope to get out of your studies. 86

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

Tip: always make sure your teeth are whiter than your degree certificate.

Caption to go in here

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GO TO UNI

Learning outside is perfect if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re studying ants or hayfever.

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What are the benefits of university?

What else is there to consider?

Going to university gives you a chance to experience a diverse cultural and social scene, meeting people from all walks of life and developing your social skills. Of course for most people, the more important benefit of going to university is that higher education qualifications can increase your prospects and earning potential for the future, hopefully leading to a more rewarding career. According to government research, graduates earn substantially more than people with fewer or lowerlevel qualifications like A-Levels. Over a lifetime, the figures suggest that a graduate will earn almost £150,000 more over their lifetime than someone without a university education.

What are the disadvantages? To be realistic, there are as many reasons not to go to university as there are to go. It all depends on what you hope to get out of your studies and what the qualifications might mean to you in the long term. First and foremost, a university education is expensive, and the cost of studying for degree has increased significantly in recent years. You can get grants and loans to help you pay for the course upfront, but you will have to pay it back after your studies are done. For example, some research puts the overall cost of getting a degree at around £52,000. This is a real debt that has to be paid back, and the money is taken from your earnings at a rate proportionate to your pay until the debt is repaid. These repayments start only when you start earning over £21,000, and current interest rates mean that you’d be paying £30 a month. Provided you get a graduate-level job this should all work out, but with one in five graduates unemployed, this is by no means guaranteed. However, if you should never find yourself earning above the £21,000 threshold, your debt would be written off after 30 years – but then if you never start earning a decent wage, that would invalidate all the hard work you put into obtaining your degree somewhat, wouldn’t it? Other things to consider are the prospect of moving away from home and being out of the jobs market for at least three years (for most honours degree). And, of course, committing to at least another three years of academic study is a big decision.

Not all university education is the same. For example, sponsored degrees are a way of getting your studies paid and earning a wage by working for the sponsoring company along the way. Think of them as a kind of apprenticeship but with a degree course instead of a work-based qualification like an NVQ. This means graduating with a degree, three years’ experience in your chosen field and (potentially) no debt whatsoever. Your employment prospects may also be brighter, as you may find yourself snapped up by your sponsor who has invested in your training.

Are there other ways to get a degree without going to university? Remember that a degree isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to qualifications, and there’s certainly no shame in admitting defeat and dropping out of university if you find it’s just not right for you. After all, Mark Zuckerberg – creator of social networking behemoth Facebook - decided that a university degree wasn’t going to be of great benefit to him, dropping out to work on his social networking project instead. Not going to university is definitely the right option for some people, and there are plenty of other options out there to satisfy everyone. There are apprenticeships, distance learning courses, foundation degrees and countless other options, including just getting a job and getting some experience under your belt.

Find out more

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk Our site gives advice on all of the university options and hints and tips on making the most your uni experience.

www.ucas.com This is the hub for all university applications and a great place to start to explore all of the varied courses that are on offer.

www.prospects.ac.uk Information website which lists the sorts of degrees you’ll need to advance in a range of different careers.

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